Claflin, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Claflin, Barton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Claflin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 164 days in the Barton forecast zone and Barton County — the most common reported hazard around Claflin, mostly in June and May. Next come high winds (36 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 164 | Jun 2026 | Aug 19, 2005 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 36 | Mar 2026 | Feb 9, 2002 · $70,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 31 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 28 | Sep 2021 | May 23, 2014 · $8,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Aug 2023 | May 5, 2007 · $30 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2011 | Jul 16, 2010 · $1.8 million damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Mar 2025 | Mar 27, 2009 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $9.8 million damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Barton forecast zone and Barton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Claflin get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Claflin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Claflin weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (4.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Claflin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 85 miles southeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Claflin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 85 mi southeast | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 94 mi west-southwest | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 124 mi north | 13,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Claflin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 204 tornadoes within 25 miles of Claflin, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 2001, which passed about 13 miles west of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on May 19, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 737 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 94 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 15, 2002.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Claflin's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Claflin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Claflin, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 85 miles southeast. KDDC (Dodge City, KS) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Claflin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Claflin the lowest scan from KICT is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Claflin free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Claflin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Lyons, KS radar 22 mi
- Ellsworth, KS radar 22 mi
- Sterling, KS radar 28 mi
- Russell, KS radar 30 mi
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- St. John, KS radar 38 mi
- Larned, KS radar 39 mi